Hull 2 - Nottingham Forest 1: James Chester browned off at Hull

We’ll be on holiday in the summer, looking at the teams that have gone up and we’ll know we’re as good as them on our day. But we haven’t been consistent enough

James Chester

The ex-Manchester United defender was a star man as the Tigers spent most of the season in and around the top six.

But despite a run of three wins and a draw from their last four games, Nick Barmby’s boys will finish outside the promotion picture after five defeats in March proved costly.

Chester said: “We’ll be on holiday in the summer, looking at the teams that have gone up and we’ll know we’re as good as them on our day. But we haven’t been consistent enough.

“A disappointing run at the wrong time of the season saw our play-off hopes slip away, but it was important to ourselves and the fans that we showed a response.”

Chris Gunter scored an unlucky own-goal after Liam Rosenior’s low long-range effort came back of the post and hit him on the shins.

Then Matty Fryatt put Hull 2-0 up from the penalty spot after Forest defender Luke Chambers clambered all over Chester in the box.

Radoslaw Majewski pulled a goal back for Forest in stoppage-time.

Forest have six players out of contract in the summer and manager Steve Cotterill warned the Reds will struggle again next season.

Cotterill, who took over from Steve McClaren in October, said: “If we end up losing the players that are out of contract and the players who are on loan, we’ve got no chance next season. We have to build a squad in the summer, by hook or by crook.”